Short answer: the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks #70 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $498 and is still sold new; the M-Audio BX8 D3 ranks #80 (rated 4.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the M-Audio BX8 D3 does well: An 8 inch studio monitor with useful bass and simple analog connections for a straightforward studio setup. The tradeoff: A 3.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and downward tonal tilt suggest a darker, less even presentation than the leaders.
What the JBL 306P MKII does well: A very affordable nearfield studio monitor with useful bass, wide coverage, and simple boundary controls. The catch: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the JBL 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality.
Buy the JBL 306P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality; the M-Audio BX8 D3 is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX8 D3 | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $258 per pair Discontinued | $498 per pair |
| Ranked | #80 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1.25” silk-dome tweeter, 8” Kevlar woofer | 6.5” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15.1H x 9.8W x 11.9D in | 16.1”H x 11.2”W x 12.9”D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) each | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 150W each (80W LF, 70W HF) | 112W total |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4” TRS | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.66 | 6.94 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
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